Grant News
The National Archives has officially reopened its Seed Corn Grant offering support for community groups and heritage organisations to test new ideas. As the official archive and publisher for the UK Government, The National Archives preserves over 1,000 years of iconic national documents and works to make this history accessible to all.
This funding stream is specifically designed for early-stage projects, allowing groups to pilot concepts or build partnerships without the immediate pressure of delivering a large-scale final output.
Organisations can apply for grants of between £500 and £5,000. The funding is available for projects lasting up to one year, with all grant monies required to be spent by December 2027.
The fund is open to a wide range of UK-based organisations, including:
- Community-based groups and grassroots organisations.
- Archives, museums, galleries, and libraries (GLAM sector).
- Heritage organisations looking to deepen community ties.
Note: Partnerships are encouraged, but Higher Education Institutions cannot lead applications.
The Seed Corn Grant supports activities that might be too risky or early-stage for other funders, such as:
- Piloting new engagement methods: Trialling creative workshops, digital storytelling, or co-creation events.
- Relationship building: Establishing new partnerships between archives and underrepresented community groups.
- Research and Development: Testing the feasibility of a larger heritage project.
- Capacity building: Training staff or volunteers in new skills required for community engagement.
Applications will close on Friday, 17 April 2026.
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